Charlie Peacock: Love Press Ex-Curio (2005)

How we rate: our writers tend to review music they like within their preferred genres.

Like a sound chemist, Charlie Peacock mixes acoustic jazz with electronica to create some interesting music on Love Press Ex-Curio (Love's Pressure Exhibits Curiosity). The pop and gospel Grammy-winning producer/artist now proves his passion for jazz, and the results are impressive.

The recording features a list of jazz heavies including Ralph Alessi, Joey Baron, Jeff Coffin, Ravi Coltrane, James Genus, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Roger Smith, Kirk Whalum, Victor Wooten, and others. Add the techno wizardry of Tony Miracle on laptop synths and Jerry McPherson on guitar loops and treatments, and top it off with Peacock leading the project with clever writing and solid chops on piano and various keyboardsand it all comes together in a hip and satisfying package.

The music grabs your attention with a successful marriage of technology and musicianship. Yes it's been done before, but there's some serious substance here. The fun "Be Well Johnny Cash incorporates everything from sound effects to big horns, spaced out guitars, and expressive solos held together by an upright bass and real drums.

Peacock is also a gifted pianist who brings his skills to bear throughout the project, but he showcases the solo pieces "Frank the Marxist Memorial Gong Blues and "Dodo's Whim with touches of blues and free expression. There are memorable performances by all of the musicians, proving the openness of these artists to experimentation. Other highlights include the cyclonic techno swing on "London Twist N Turn, the instrumental isolation on "Longing for Lewis, and the smooth flow of "All Or Nothing Grace. This juxtaposition of idioms works well, and music fans on both sides of the electro-acoustic equation should find something to enjoy.